BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 13. Kazakhstan
expects to establish a practical partnership between the Port of
Antwerp-Bruges and the Caspian Sea ports of Aktau and Kuryk,
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said at the fourth meeting of the
Kazakhstan-Belgium Business Council, attended by King Philippe of
Belgium, the president's press service reported.


"We expect to establish a practical partnership between the Port
of Antwerp-Bruges and the Caspian Sea ports of Aktau and Kuryk.
This will open up broader markets for Kazakhstan's metal products,
petrochemical and agricultural products," he said.


Tokayev identified transport and logistics as one of the key
areas for strengthening cooperation, noting that Kazakhstan is
making large-scale investments in modernizing railway and road
infrastructure, seaports and terminals along the Middle
Corridor.


The president also identified artificial intelligence and the
technology industry as key priorities for strengthening the
partnership.


"By leveraging the capabilities of artificial intelligence and
digital transformation, we are accelerating the implementation of
major initiatives such as AlemAi and Alatau City, which are
intended to establish next-generation hubs for the development of
advanced industries. Belgium's strong position in semiconductor
research opens up new opportunities for joint projects and
partnership development," Tokayev said.







He also noted that Belgium ranks among the ten largest investors
in Kazakhstan's economy, with Belgian companies having invested
more than $15 billion in the country over the past two decades.


More than 100 Belgian and joint ventures operate in Kazakhstan
in sectors including agriculture, healthcare and pharmaceuticals,
advanced technologies and energy. These include Belgian companies
such as Jan De Nul, Sarens and Ahlers, Tokayev said.


"It is encouraging that bilateral trade is also growing. In the
first eight months of this year, trade between the two countries
increased by almost 10%. At the same time, I am convinced that much
remains to be done to simplify trade procedures and boost bilateral
trade in order to meet the expectations of our peoples. At the
regional level, Kazakhstan is Belgium's largest trading partner in
Central Asia," Tokayev said.